Biology
Empoleon is a large, navy-blue, penguin-like Pokémon. It has a wide, yellow beak that extends upward into three pointed horns that form a trident-shaped crest bracketing blue eyes. Large horns are a symbol of leadership and strength for Empoleon. There is a blue marking resembling a crown over its eyes and a white, lacy marking running down its chest. A blue, fin-like projection forms a collar around its throat and runs down the length of its chest and belly. On its back are two raised, gold bumps and a second blue fin that forms its tail. Its yellow feet are webbed with three toes each and its feathers form ruffs above its feet. It has wide, flipper-like wings rimmed with blue along the tips, and three golden claws.
The edges of these wings are comparable to master-crafted blades, capable of slicing through ice floes, and this Pokémon will use them to attack anyone or anything that damages its pride. However, it prefers to avoid unnecessary disputes at times. When swimming in the water, Empoleon can move as fast as a jet boat. In Hisui, people have revered Empoleon since ancient times, referring to it as the Master of the Waves.
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
Empoleon made its main series debut in Barry's Busting Out All Over!, under the ownership of Barry.
In Last Call — First Round!, Kenny's Prinplup was revealed to have evolved into an Empoleon during the Performance Stage of the Sinnoh Grand Festival.
Other
Empoleon debuted in The Rise of Darkrai, under the ownership of Kai. It was used in a battle against Dawn's Piplup, and also tried to stop Darkrai together with Allegra's Infernape and Maury's Torterra. It was later used in the Battle Stage of the Alamos Contest.
In A Full Battle Bounty!, Professor Kukui's Empoleon was the fourth Pokémon used in his Full Battle against Ash. It first went up against Pikachu, causing some damage to him before Ash switched to Melmetal, which defeated Empoleon.
In The Sinnoh Iceberg Race!, Masaya's Empoleon competed in the Pokémon Iceberg Race before being targeted by Team Rocket.
Minor appearances
In The Semi-Final Frontier!, a Trainer's Empoleon went up against Tobias during the Lily of the Valley Conference finals. It battled his Darkrai off-screen, but as with the other five Pokémon owned by its Trainer, it was easily defeated by the Pitch-Black Pokémon.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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SM142
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Empoleon
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Rotom Pokédex
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Empoleon, the Emperor Pokémon. A Water and Steel type. Empoleon can swim as fast as a jet boat. The edges of its wings are sharp and can slice through an iceberg with ease.
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Pokémon Evolutions
In The Rival, an Empoleon under the ownership of Barry was the third Pokémon used in his battle against Palmer. It was also used during Barry and Lucas's battle against Team Galactic's Commanders at the Spear Pillar, defeating Jupiter's Skuntank.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Platinum's Empoleon
In Great Gible, Platinum's Empoleon evolved in the Veilstone Department Store while her two companions and the bodyguards assigned to protect her were fighting off Team Galactic. It proved to be an invaluable ally in the Pastoria Gym challenge and has continued as an integral part of her team.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
- Main article: Hareta's Empoleon
Hareta owns an Empoleon that evolved in (Violent) Earthquake! Cyrus's Consuming Ambition after the effects of the Everstone Mitsumi gave to it wore off, which caused Piplup to evolve straight into an Empoleon, only being Prinplup for a moment. His Empoleon was valuable in the Mt. Coronet battle and risked its life to stop Cyrus.
Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!
Shin has an Empoleon which was first seen in the beginning chapter of the series.
In the TCGOther appearances
Empoleon in Pokkén Tournament
Empoleon is a playable character in the arcade and Nintendo Switch versions of Pokkén Tournament.
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #009
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Johto #—
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Diamond
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The three horns that extend from its beak attest to its power. The leader has the biggest horns.
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Pearl
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It swims as fast as a jet boat. The edges of its wings are sharp and can slice apart drifting ice.
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Platinum
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If anyone were to hurt its pride, it would slash them with wings that can cleave through an ice floe.
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HeartGold
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It avoids unnecessary disputes, but it will decimate anything that threatens its pride.
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SoulSilver
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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If anyone were to hurt its pride, it would slash them with wings that can cleave through an ice floe.
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White
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Black 2
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If anyone were to hurt its pride, it would slash them with wings that can cleave through an ice floe.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos #—
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Hoenn #—
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X
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It swims as fast as a jet boat. The edges of its wings are sharp and can slice apart drifting ice.
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Y
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The three horns that extend from its beak attest to its power. The leader has the biggest horns.
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Omega Ruby
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It swims as fast as a jet boat. The edges of its wings are sharp and can slice apart drifting ice.
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Alpha Sapphire
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The three horns that extend from its beak attest to its power. The leader has the biggest horns.
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Generation VIII
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Galar #—
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Sinnoh #009
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Hisui #163
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This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sword and Shield.
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Brilliant Diamond
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The three horns that extend from its beak attest to its power. The leader has the biggest horns.
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Shining Pearl
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It swims as fast as a jet boat. The edges of its wings are sharp and can slice apart drifting ice.
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Legends: Arceus
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Since ancient times, it has been revered by the people of Hisui, who call it the Master of the Waves. Its wings are a match for even master-crafted blades.
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Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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In side games
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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84
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144 - 191
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278 - 372
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86
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81 - 151
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159 - 298
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88
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83 - 154
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162 - 302
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111
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104 - 179
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204 - 353
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101
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95 - 168
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186 - 331
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60
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58 - 123
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112 - 240
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Total: 530
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Empoleon is available in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
BDSP
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Empoleon
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Empoleon
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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LA
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Empoleon
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Empoleon
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Empoleon
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Empoleon
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Empoleon in Generation VIII
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Empoleon in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Empoleon
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Empoleon
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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BDSP
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Empoleon
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Empoleon
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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LA
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Empoleon
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Empoleon
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Empoleon
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Empoleon
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Trivia
- No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Empoleon.
- Due to this unique type combination, Empoleon is also the only fully evolved starter Pokémon which neither resists nor takes double damage from the moves of the other starter types.
- Empoleon is also the only starter Pokémon to have the Steel-type.
- In Pokémon Black and White, a biker gang called the Black Empoleon will gather along the Tubeline Bridge on Friday nights. If the player defeats their leader, they will rename themselves after the player's lead Pokémon.
Origin
Empoleon appears to be based on an emperor penguin and an emperor, in reference to its royal appearance. Based on its name in various languages, Empoleon may specifically take inspiration from Napoleon Bonaparte, an emperor of France. Empoleon's beak has the appearance of both a crown and a trident, a fishing tool and the weapon of choice for the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon. Empoleon also bears some resemblance to the royal penguin. Its ability to cut through ice with its sharp wings could be a reference to an icebreaker.
Name origin
Empoleon may be a combination of emperor or emperor penguin, South Pole, and Napoleon.
Emperte may be a combination of emperor or emperor penguin and Bonaparte (Napoleon's surname).
In other languagesRelated articlesExternal links
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
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